Blackbelt Omatagged me for this meme because she thinks it’s time for a little whimsey here.She’s probably right, but I’m warning you, I’m a meme virgin.I don’t know how to do all that tagging and linking and stuff so if I don’t get it right, you’re just gonna have to coach me.Oh, ha-ha.Coach.That’s a famous name for bags, right?I know that much, but, I’ll likely never own one of them.But bags are what this meme is about and I’d already been thinking of posting a picture of mine, sometime, because I am quite fond of it.

I got this for Christmas from Hero…after I picked it out…when I wasn’t even shopping for a bag.I was actually on my way out of J.C. Penney’s after some Christmas shopping, when I realized I was going out the wrong door and would not find my car in that parking lot.So, I was forced to go back through the store.I promise I had no intention of looking at bags; I just chose that aisle because it was the most direct route to the correct exit.

Actually, I don’t even like shopping for purses.I bet I haven’t spent a hundred dollars – total – on bags in the last ten years.But it just so happened that I did need one. I’d even been telling the Lord that.I wanted another black, suede purse exactly like the one I’d been using for more years than I’m willing to admit.Since I had no hopes of finding any such thing, I simply didn’t look.

But there I was, trying to maneuver down this narrow aisle, with my purchases and a bunch of flat gift boxes from Customer Service tucked under my arm, when I spotted this purse. It was not black. It was not suede. It was not anything I had in mind. But I fell instantly in love with it. To justify my spontaneous purchase of something for myself, when I was supposed to be shopping for others, seein’ it was Christmas time, I decided Hero could give it to me. (He was more than delighted since malls and shopping are so not his favorite pastime.) At 30% off, it was about $43 including tax. Based on my previous record, that’s almost five years’ worth of bag budget. Here’s she is:

This meme is from Beth at Total Mom Haircut (You really need to visit her blog. She’s delightful!)
Here are Beth’s rules:

1.) “Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today (or the last time you left the house – it’s freaking snowing here so you know I’m in my velour pants today and the green precious is sitting on the steps).” Note: You’ll have to visit her blog to see her “Green Precious.”

2.) “I want to know how much it cost 🙂 and this is not to judge, because I’m honestly telling you I was ready to put down some cash; I just got lucky. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3.) “Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.”

I tag Amanda at I Am Mommy She has two adorable boys, and a brand new baby daughter, so I’m guessing she might have a fun new girly-type diaper bag. And I’m tagging Michelle at This One’s for the Girls She hasn’t posted for a few days and I miss her wit and warmth.

(Don’t ask me about the variation in font sizes. Like I said, I’m new at this and have very little idea what I’m doing. This is what you get when you tag me! )